Jensen and Bader Lead Solid Team Effort By Trojans
MIDDLESEX, NJ–After losing the likes of Roger Kilgore, Dillon Salva, and Kenny Virden to graduation last June, the 2012-13 campaign has been one of transition for the Trojans of Bishop Ahr. Â With only two players returning from last year’s roster, a lot of change was in the air at the BGA. Â There have been some ups and downs including a recent three game losing streak that included an upset loss in overtime at Metuchen, but Ahr is doing ok.
Led by the efforts of senior Mike Jensen, who scored a game high 17 points and reserve Chris Bader, who gave a spark off the bench with 10 points, the Trojans were able to snap the three game losing streak with a 60-44 victory over Middlesex on the road. Â Bishop Ahr had 10 players get into the game with 9 of them scoring. Â Jensen connected on 6 of 8 shots including 2 of 3 from long range while making 3 of 4 at the line. Â Bader, connected on 3 of 4 attempts from the field while hitting 4 of 8 from the line.
Sophomore Tom Weiler also contributed with 9 points on 4 of 8 shooting including a three pointer. Â St. Joe’s transfer, Owen McLeod chipped in also with 7 points on 3 of 6 shooting from the floor and a free throw. Â Greg Patuto sank two threes in the first half to jump start the offense, and ended up with 6 points. Â Jarret Bogus led Middlesex in a losing cause with 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting while Austin Bardaji chipped in with 10 points on 3 of 7 shooting from the floor, and 4 of 5 from the line. Â
For the game, Ahr was 22 of 41 from the floor for 62 percent while Middlesex was 18 of 37 for 52 percent. Â Big difference was three pointers where Ahr dominated with a 6 of 17 effort versus an 0 of 5 showing by the Blue Jays. Â Free throws were quite even with BGA ending up 10 of 17 from the charity stripe while the Jays were 8 of 13. Â Fouls were close with BGA having fewer (9 to 11). Â Bishop Ahr jumped out to an 11-4 lead early, and withstood a run by Middlesex toward the end of the period for a 19-10 lead. Â The Trojans increased that to 35-19 at the half, and led by as many as 23 on several occasions in the second half.
Ahr did a great job of working the ball around and showing great team work, particularly in the second half when the Trojans made several nice extra passes for layups. Â While the Trojans are not as good as they have been in recent years, they should be still able to hold its own in a new and more competitive Blue Division. Â The future also looks bright for the BGA with the likes of Weiler and Pat Astarita leading a solid sophomore class.